Curran's Hard Truths: Patriots need to act fast on road vs. Bears

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In reeling off three consecutive wins in which they put up 40 points per game, the Patriots countered concerns about their punchlessness.

Now, they have to take the show on the road.

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In back-to-back games at Jacksonville and Detroit, the Patriots managed just a first-half field goal while falling behind by 18 against the Jags and 10 against the Lions.

They didn’t dig out in either game.

“We have a huge challenge this week of just playing well and trying to get a win on the road,” said safety Devin McCourty. “We just haven’t done it, and I think when you’re on the road and you fall behind, now it’s just the energy picks up, it’s like everything’s against you and you’re just fighting uphill.

“That’s something we talked about, getting off to a fast start across the board – offense, defense, kicking game,” McCourty continued. “We feel like that’s key for us if we want to go out there and play well in Chicago. It’s not falling behind 14-3, 10-zip and then just trying to play a whole different game. So, we just need to focus and do that Sunday.”

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Offensively, the Patriots face their sternest test since losing to Jacksonville. The Bears are fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (83.4), first in interception rate (5.52), third in sacks per passing attempt (9.94), second in first downs allowed per game (17), third in goal-to-go offense (50 percent of the time allowing touchdowns) and fourth in points allowed (19.2).

And all those numbers were even higher before the Bears got dink-and-dunked to tears last week by the Miami Dolphins and Brock Osweiler.

“Brock Osweiler?” you say. “If they couldn’t handle Brock Osweiler, how will they do with Tom Brady?”

One would think not so good. But, again, it can be different on the road. And this edition of the Patriots has yet to play a decent offensive game away from Gillette.

They also haven’t been on the road with Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon and their newly-invigorated running game, so that also argues in their favor.

(pictured).

The Bears have talent front to back defensively. Mack was really the last piece added to a very solid group.

Bill Belichick made specific mention of safeties Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson.

“They do a really good job,” said Belichick. “They can both play free safety, strong safety-type roles. They’re both versatile players, good tacklers. Jackson’s a very instinctive player. He gets to a lot of plays that you normally wouldn’t think he would get to, but he just anticipates them well. I mean, for a young player, he’s a very instinctive player. So, they do a real good job. They’ve been very durable and dependable. They’re out there every snap, so they really never come off the field. They work well together, along with the whole secondary – [Bryce] Callahan, [Kyle] Fuller, [Prince] Amukamara or however that goes over there at corner. But, when he’s there, that’s a good group.”

Chicago has eight picks in its past three games.

Former Patriot Akiem Hicks has blossomed with the Bears at defensive tackle and the linebacker crew of Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan and Leonard Floyd is fast and physical.

But Mack is the key. Last week, when he was diminished, the Bears didn’t bring much pressure on Osweiler and they got steamrolled in the running game (161 yards on 31 carries).

But they’re back home this week. And the Patriots are on the road. Something’s going to give. If the Patriots don’t – in the form of interceptions and/or fumbles against an opportunistic team, the Patriots should be able to take care of business and move to 5-2.

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